Becoming the top volunteer management provider takes time, effort, patience, and strategy. At Volunteer Hub, we continue to focus on pushing our product further and fulfilling the needs of the organizations that utilize our volunteer management platform every day. We recently had the opportunity to be involved in a series of meditation-based workshops led by Artie Isaac. Artie has worked for over 30 years teaching business leaders how to deal with problems and leverage opportunities in their organization. He also believes heavily in the power of mindfulness. The idea behind the sessions was to learn new strategies on how to develop breathing techniques, clear the mind, strengthen one’s focus, and reduce stress. All of our employees attended the workshop and learned a lot about how a few simple techniques can make a big difference during the workday. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from the series.
Did you know that Mindfulness has been clinically proven to reduce stress?
Stress Reduction Techniques Can Be Done at Home
Stress can dramatically weigh a person down and have negative effects on their productivity. During our mindful meditation sessions, we learned how to better cope with stress, relax, and revive ourselves mentally. We also learned that many practices can be done in the comfort of our own homes to alleviate stress. You do not need a membership or to be part of a club to practice stress reduction techniques that can positively impact your work and personal life. At VolunteerHub we believe encouraging employees to focus on stress reduction will have a positive impact on our ability to continue to be a superior volunteer management provider.
Taking the Time to Be Distraction is Essential
Meditation is a journey and one that is only achieved in a distraction-free environment. Distractions can easily cause people practicing mindfulness to forget the entire purpose of the exercise. Distraction-free zones should not include devices that could steer one away from total relaxation (phone, tablet, computer). At VolunteerHub we have learned that to think strategically, it is key that our employees take the time to engage in distraction-free meditation to rejuvenate their mind.
Focusing on Your Inhale and Exhale Makes You More Aware
It is amazing how the simplest things may have the biggest impact on our ability to focus and be more aware. During our mindful meditation sessions, we practiced sitting quietly and focusing all of our efforts and thoughts on breathing. Doing so allowed us all to clear our minds and think about the essentials in life. For a small moment in time, issues outside our mediated state did not matter. After the exercise was over, we were all able to think of new ways to approach problems and projects in a new light.
Mindfulness Meditation is Exercise for the Brain
One of the most important reasons to practice mindfulness is the exercise the activity provides to the brain. A study performed by Harvard Medical School found that practicing mindfulness improves an individual’s emotional response, short-term and long-term memory, and spatial navigation. Practicing mindfulness has also been shown to reduce depression and anxiety. Our brains need exercise, just like many other parts of the human body. Practicing mindfulness can give our team the brain boosts we need to stay sharp for many years to come.
Takeaways
Practicing mindfulness is a great way to keep your brain strong, reduce anxiety and depression, combat stress, and make better decisions. Meditation does not need to take a long time, either. Just meditating for a few minutes each day can make a big difference. Make sure that if you commit to mindfulness and meditation for a certain amount of time, you stick to your plan. For companies looking for new ways to impact productivity and make a positive difference in their employee’s life, consider hosting mindfulness sessions. At VolunteerHub we are excited about the future and the impact these activities will have on the business and its stakeholders.
